Building Design & Maintenance

Designation/Certificate: SMA

f you are involved in the repair and replacement of structural items such as floors, ceilings, interior walls, and windows, you need a basic understanding of building design, materials, codes, regulations, and structural systems and finishes. You also need to be familiar with maintenance procedures and equipment, grounds maintenance, and preventive maintenance, as well as construction documents. In this course, you will cover the characteristics, uses, and properties of common building materials, as well as building regulations, codes, and standards. You will learn to compare building system components and to identify appropriate inspection and maintenance techniques. You will develop the knowledge to establish procedures and standards for monitoring building operations, preventive maintenance, and cleaning. You will also learn to read and use construction documents, studying from a textbook that features a set of drawings and an architect's pocket scale. Featuring helpful new illustrations and current resources, such as governmental and industry websites, this course can help you design and maintain sound, safe buildings.

Learning Objectives

Maintaining efficient and cost-effective building systems

Understanding building materials and structural components

Reading, understanding, and using construction documents

Knowing how a structure functions, and your role in maintaining it effectively

Major Topics Covered

Common building materials and systems in building foundations

Curtain walls

Windows

Roofing systems

Interior finishes

Flooring, interior walls, and ceilings

Vertical transportation

Grounds maintenance and inspection

The reading, scaling, interpretation, care, and use of construction documents